In the early 1990s, a group of residents began lobbying Seattle city government to add another sister city to its roster – this time, one from Italy. It would be a first, since at the time Washington State did not have a sister city from the Bel Paese.  

After some discussion, the group settled on the city of Perugia, the capital of Umbria. Perugia and Seattle had a lot in common. Both cities are situated on hillsides surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Both are home to great universities and have a thriving local music scene.  It seemed like a perfect fit.